Service information

For south Essex (formerly Pathology First): you can find details of our phlebotomy department, including opening hours, here.

For mid Essex: you can find details of our phlebotomy services here.

For south Essex (formerly Pathology First): you can download the information guides below for patient support:

• Single 24-Hour Urine Collection
• Two Consecutive 24-Hour Urine Collection
• Instructions for Saliva Collection for Late Night Cortisol
• Collection of Faecal (Stool) Sample
• Sweat test – Child
• Sweat test – Adult
• Policy on the Management of Complaints and PALS
• Confidentiality and Personal Investigations
• Patient Care and Respect

For patient information in mid Essex, please click here.

For clinical information for mid Essex, click here.

For south Essex, click on the links below to find out more information:

• Acute Kidney Injury – AKI
• Albuminuria Testing Protocol
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Phenotypes
• Critical Differences
• CSF Sampling for Xanthochromia
• Drugs causing Hyperprolactinaemia
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
• Guidelines for Requesting Tumour Markers
• Investigation of Gilberts Syndrone
• Investigation of Menopausal Symptoms
• Investigation of suspected Hyperparathyroid disease
• Investigation of Rhabdomyolysis
• Neonatal Hypoglycaemia Investigations
• Osmolal & Anion Gap
• Penicilliamine test for the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease
• Renal Stone Metabolic Screen
• Thyroid Function testing guidelines
• Two consecutive 24 hour urine collection
• 24 hour urine collection
• 24 hour urine collection for Metanephrines/5-HIAA

For consumables requests in south Essex:

GP Requisition Form for Pathology Consumables

Download this form and return to PF.Porters@synlab.co.uk to make your request.

GP Requisition Form for Pathology Consumables

Southend Laboratory Supplies Order Form

Download this form and return to PF.Porters@synlab.co.uk to place your order.

Southend Laboratory Supplies Order Form

For consumable requests in mid Essex please click here.

For south Essex, formerly Pathology First, read our guide to the Provision of requests here.

Manual Request Forms

• GP Request Form
• Blood Request Form
• Micro Request Form
• ICE Request Form

For information relating to mid Essex, click here.

For south Essex: read our Sample acceptance and rejection policy document here.

For mid Essex, click here.

Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). You can find out more information below:

• Our Quality Policy
• Uncertainty of Measurement
• Policy on the notification of UKAS Accreditation
• UKAS Accreditation
• UKAS Accreditation Certificate

Genomic testing in the NHS is provided through a national testing of 7 Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), each responsible for coordinating services for a particular part of the country. The GLH for our hospitals is North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub led by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHSFT. The National Genomic Test Directory is updated annually following a structured evidence based process and can be found here: NHS England » National Genomic Test Directory

Local guidance on availability and requesting of molecular genetic and cytogenetic tests

PLEASE NOTE:
Patients MUST attend Basildon or Southend Hospital Phlebotomy Departments before midday to have blood taken (before sample transport to London).

Do NOT send samples directly to reference laboratories; there are health and safety regulations regarding transport of patient samples.

Requests other than routine tests (e.g. karyotyping, cystic fibrosis) MUST be discussed with the Consultant Biochemist beforehand.

Local guidance and information

Cystic Fibrosis genetic testing

Request Forms

DNA and Cytogenetics Test Request Form

National guidance and information

North East Thames Genetics Handbook
Cystic Fibrosis genetic testing information sheet

Find out more about the services we provide for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust here.